MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino told members of the Serra Club of Madison that he appreciates their efforts in encouraging and supporting Church vocations.
At the annual bishop’s gathering with Serrans held recently at the Bishop O’Connor Center, the outgoing president of the Serra Club, Grant Emmel, presented the bishop with a burse of $7,500 from the club’s foundation to be used for the education of seminarians.
This year, Emmel also announced that the club was presenting seminarians at the event with a Kindle wireless reading device and a gift card to download books and materials.
Caring about vocations
In his remarks, Bishop Morlino told the Serrans, “You are a visible sign of the Lord’s care for vocations in the Diocese of Madison. I don’t know many people in our city who worry about priestly vocations. You do.”
The bishop said that there is a “tight connection between Eucharistic Adoration and vocations” and encouraged the Serrans to continue to promote Eucharistic Adoration. “It becomes the principle road to vocations,” he emphasized.
The Serra Club of Madison started weekday Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations in the chapel of the Bishop O’Connor Center in September of 2004. Since then, Serrans and other interested persons have been praying before the Blessed Sacrament from 9 to 11:45 a.m. every Monday through Friday.
Prayers are bearing fruit
The bishop said these prayers for vocations are bearing fruit. This year there are 10 new seminarians studying to become priests for the Diocese of Madison. “It gives us a total of 26 seminarians,” observed the bishop. In the past year I ordained six men to the priesthood. We are only beginning.”
He said the number of seminarians and new priests shows “a special blessing by Our Lord and the Blessed Mother.”
He added, “Please keep up Eucharistic Adoration for vocations and encourage our seminarians. They really are our hope. My hope is that I will get to ordain every one of these men.”
The bishop said the seminarians’ formation is “top notch.” “They have a whole new vision and a new energy,” he said.
About the Serra Club
The Serra Club is an international organization of Catholic lay women and men who foster and promote vocations through prayer, affirmation, awareness, and support.
Newly installed officers of the Serra Club of Madison include: Mary Wackwitz, president; Grant Emmel, vice president-programs; Mary Uhler and Andrew Forecki, vice presidents-membership; Chris Reitz, vice president-vocations; Tom Reitz, vice president-communications; Jane Krzos, secretary; and Lorie Ballweg, treasurer. Fr. Paul Ugo Arinze is the club’s chaplain.
If you are interested in joining the Serra Club, prospective members are invited to attend the club’s meetings generally held on the second and fourth Fridays beginning with Mass at 12 noon followed by Mass and a lunch meeting at the Bishop O’Connor Center.
More information may be obtained on the club’s Web site at http://serramsn.org/